Six of the nine Charlottesville students accused of attacking University students between last September and this January entered guilty pleas in Charlottesville Juvenile Court yesterday.
Four of the individuals entered guilty pleas of malicious wounding by mob, Commonwealth Attorney David Chapman said. Three of the four were involved in the Jan. 12 attack and the remaining juvenile was involved in the Jan. 25 attack.
One of the nine, Gordon L. Fields, 18, already pled guilty to a misdemeanor assault and battery charge March 28.
Chapman said he could not disclose specific details about the individuals because they were minors.
A hearing to determine the juvenile's punishment will be held in May, according to Chapman. If the four meet the court's requirement, their punishment will be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
One Charlottesville High School student, involved in the Sept. 25 attack, pled guilty to robbery, Chapman said. He will be sentenced Sept. 3.
Groups such as the European-American Unity and Rights Organization had called for the defendants to be prosecuted as violating Virginia's hate crimes laws. Chapman said his office did not find evidence beyond reasonable doubt and therefore, by policy, decided the defendants should not be charged with violating hate crimes laws.
But, Chapman said five of the six defendants pled guilty to crimes that have tougher punishments under Virginia law than hate crimes laws.
"Malicious wounding by mob and robbery are more serious than the most serious hate crime charge," he said.
The remaining defendant pled guilty to the charge of accessory after the fact. Chapman said the charge means an individual aids or assists another person's attempt to avoid prosecution in the aftermath of an event.
This individual, whose crime is considered the least serious, may be able to have punishment nullified if court requirements are met. Currently, the defendant's guilty plea is qualified as a misdemeanor.
Community members have sought explanations for the attacks and forums have been held to improve relations between the University and city residents.
Charlottesville City Council member Meredith Richards said she thinks the way some community members view the University may have helped to cause the attacks.
"I think the University does a tremendous job being a good citizen of the community in terms of outreach programs, but there still exists a citadel on the hill," Richards said.
She said that some in the city see an influx of students from outside the area at the University and that there are "invisible walls around the University that are real and are there."
But, she added, "these were violent acts and inexcusable acts and we must find a way for children in the community to view University students as valued human beings and brothers and sisters."
Richards said that in the past city gangs had made attacking University students a part of their initiation ceremonies. However, she said she did not feel recent attacks were gang related.
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